scholarly journals Physical and optical properties of atmospheric aerosol by in-situ and radiometric measurements

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 25565-25597
Author(s):  
M. Calvello ◽  
F. Esposito ◽  
G. Pavese ◽  
C. Serio
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosol ◽  
Observation Methods

Abstract. Physical and optical properties of atmospheric aerosols collected by using a high resolution (1.5 nm) spectroradiometer (spectral range 400–800 nm), a 13 stages Dekati Low Pressure Impactor (size range 30 nm–10 μm), and an AE31 Aethalometer (7 wavelenghts from 370 nm to 950 nm), have been examined in a semi-rural site in Southwest Italy (Tito Scalo, 40°35´ N, 15°41´ E, 750 m a.s.l.). In particular, daily averaged values of AOD and Ångström turbidity parameters from radiometric data together with mass-size distributions from impactor data and Black Carbon (BC) concentrations have been analyzed from May to October 2008. Furthermore, by inverting direct solar radiances, aerosol columnar number and volume size distributions have been obtained for the same period. Comparison of different observation methods, allowed to verify if, and in what conditions, changes in aerosol properties measured at ground are representative of columnar properties variations. Agreement between columnar and in-situ measurements has been obtained in case of anthropogenic aerosol loading, while in case of Saharan dust intrusions some discrepancies have been found when dust particles were located at high layers in the atmosphere (4–8 km) thus affecting columnar properties more than surface ones. For anthropogenic aerosols, a good correlation has been confirmed through the comparison of fine aerosol fraction contribution as measured by radiometer, impactor and aethalometer, suggesting that in this case particles are more homogeneously distributed over the lower layers of atmosphere and columnar aerosol optical properties are dominated by surface measured component.

scholarly journals Physical and optical properties of atmospheric aerosols by in-situ and radiometric measurements

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 2195-2208 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Calvello ◽  
F. Esposito ◽  
G. Pavese ◽  
C. Serio
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosol ◽  
Observation Methods

Abstract. Physical and optical properties of atmospheric aerosols collected by using a high resolution (1.5 nm) spectroradiometer (spectral range 400–800 nm), a 13-stage Dekati Low Pressure Impactor (size range 30 nm–10 μm), and an AE31 Aethalometer (7 wavelenghts from 370 nm to 950 nm), have been examined in a semi-rural site in Southwest Italy (Tito Scalo, 40°35' N, 15°41' E, 750 m a.s.l.). In particular, daily averaged values of AOD and Ångström turbidity parameters from radiometric data together with mass-size distributions from impactor data and Black Carbon (BC) concentrations have been analyzed from May to October 2008. Furthermore, by inverting direct solar radiances, aerosol columnar number and volume size distributions have been obtained for the same period. The comparison of different observation methods, allowed to verify if, and in what conditions, changes in aerosol properties measured at ground are representative of columnar properties variations. Agreement between columnar and in-situ measurements has been obtained in case of anthropogenic aerosol loading, while in case of Saharan dust intrusions some discrepancies have been found when dust particles were located at high layers in the atmosphere (4–8 km) thus affecting columnar properties more than surface ones. For anthropogenic aerosols, a good correlation has been confirmed through the comparison of fine aerosol fraction contribution as measured by radiometer, impactor and aethalometer, suggesting that, in this case, the particles are more homogeneously distributed over the lower layers of atmosphere and columnar aerosol optical properties are dominated by surface measured component.

scholarly journals Observations of Saharan dust microphysical and optical properties from the Eastern Atlantic during NAMMA airborne field campaign

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 723-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Chen ◽  
L. D. Ziemba ◽  
D. A. Chu ◽  
K. L. Thornhill ◽  
G. L. Schuster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Optical Properties ◽  
Dust Particle ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Small Range ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Particle Size Distributions ◽  
Field Campaign ◽  
Sahara Dust

Abstract. As part of the international project entitled "African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA)", NAMMA (NASA AMMA) aimed to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the African Easterly Waves (AEWs), the Sahara Air Layer (SAL), and tropical cyclogenesis. The NAMMA airborne field campaign was based out of the Cape Verde Islands during the peak of the hurricane season, i.e., August and September 2006. Multiple Sahara dust layers were sampled during 62 encounters in the eastern portion of the hurricane main development region, covering both the eastern North Atlantic Ocean and the western Saharan desert (i.e., 5–22° N and 10–35° W). The centers of these layers were located at altitudes between 1.5 and 3.3 km and the layer thickness ranged from 0.5 to 3 km. Detailed dust microphysical and optical properties were characterized using a suite of in-situ instruments aboard the NASA DC-8 that included a particle counter, an Ultra-High Sensitivity Aerosol Spectrometer, an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer, a nephelometer, and a Particle Soot Absorption Photometer. The NAAMA sampling inlet has a size cut (i.e., 50% transmission efficiency size) of approximately 4 μm in diameter for dust particles, which limits the representativeness of the NAMMA observational findings. The NAMMA dust observations showed relatively low particle number densities, ranging from 268 to 461 cm−3, but highly elevated volume density with an average at 45 μm3 cm−3. NAMMA dust particle size distributions can be well represented by tri-modal lognormal regressions. The estimated volume median diameter (VMD) is averaged at 2.1 μm with a small range of variation regardless of the vertical and geographical sampling locations. The Ångström Exponent assessments exhibited strong wavelength dependence for absorption but a weak one for scattering. The single scattering albedo was estimated at 0.97 ± 0.02. The imaginary part of the refractive index for Sahara dust was estimated at 0.0022, with a range from 0.0015 to 0.0044. Closure analysis showed that observed scattering coefficients are highly correlated with those calculated from spherical Mie-Theory and observed dust particle size distributions. These values are generally consistent with literature values reported from studies with similar particle sampling size range.

scholarly journals Dust events in Beijing, China (2004–2006): comparison of ground-based measurements with columnar integrated observations

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 11843-11888
Author(s):  
Z. J. Wu ◽  
Y. F. Cheng ◽  
M. Hu ◽  
B. Wehner ◽  
N. Sugimoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Urban Atmosphere ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽  
Particle Volume ◽  
Total Particle ◽  
Dust Events ◽  
Beijing China

Abstract. Three-year particle number size distributions were analyzed to characterize the size distributions and optical properties of the particles in the urban atmosphere of Beijing, China during dust events in the springs of 2004–2006 in combination with AERONET sun/sky radiometer data. The dust events were categorized as two different types (type 1 and 2). This categorization of the dust events was confirmed by the aerosol index images, columnar aerosol optical properties, and vertical potential temperature profiles. Dust particles dominated the total particle volume concentration (3–10000 nm) (over 70%) for the dust events in type 1, which happened under strong wind speeds. In this type, relatively purer dust particles were observed in the urban atmosphere. The events in type 2 with a longer stagnation time in the urban area and lower ratio of coarse mode particle to the total particle volume concentration occurred under stable local weather conditions. During the events in type 2, a superposition of the dust particles and anthropogenic aerosols was observed. The comparison of columnar optical properties among type 1, 2, and heavy pollution periods shows that the superposition of dust particles and anthropogenic aerosols can result in much higher AOD than pure dust particles in the urban atmosphere of Beijing. By comparing the particle volume size distributions retrieved from AERONET with those obtained from the Twin Differential Mobility Particle Sizer measurements, a discrepancy between the ground-based and column integrated particle volume size distributions was found, especially obvious for the coarse mode particles.

scholarly journals Vertical profiles of aerosol mass concentrations observed during dust events by unmanned airborne in-situ and remote sensing instruments

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitra Mamali ◽  
Eleni Marinou ◽  
Jean Sciare ◽  
Michael Pikridas ◽  
Panagiotis Kokkalis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
In Situ Measurements ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Vertical Profiles ◽  
Aerosol Mass ◽  
Aerosol Mass Concentration

Abstract. In-situ measurements using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and remote sensing observations can independently provide dense vertically-resolved measurements of atmospheric aerosols; information which is highly required in climate models. In both cases, inverting the recorded signals to useful information requires assumptions and constraints, and this can make the comparison of the results difficult. Here we compare, for the first time, vertical profiles of the aerosol mass concentration derived from Light Detection And Ranging (lidar) observations and in-situ measurements using an Optical Particle Counter (OPC) onboard a UAV during moderate and weak Saharan dust episodes. Agreement between the two measurement methods was within experimental uncertainty for the coarse-mode (i.e., particles having radii > 0.5 μm) where the properties of dust particles can be assumed with good accuracy. This result proves that the two techniques can be used interchangeably for determining the vertical profiles of the aerosol concentrations, bringing them a step closer towards their systematic exploitation in climate models.

scholarly journals Using the OMI Aerosol Index and Absorption Aerosol Optical Depth to evaluate the NASA MERRA Aerosol Reanalysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (23) ◽  
pp. 32177-32231 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Buchard ◽  
A. M. da Silva ◽  
P. R. Colarco ◽  
A. Darmenov ◽  
C. A. Randles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Aerosol Optical Depth ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽  
Aerosol Absorption ◽  
Modis Aod ◽  
Aerosol Index

Abstract. A radiative transfer interface has been developed to simulate the UV Aerosol Index (AI) from the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System version 5 (GEOS-5) aerosol assimilated fields. The purpose of this work is to use the AI and Aerosol Absorption Optical Depth (AAOD) derived from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) measurements as independent validation for the Modern Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications Aerosol Reanalysis (MERRAero). MERRAero is based on a version of the GEOS-5 model that is radiatively coupled to the Goddard Chemistry, Aerosol, Radiation, and Transport (GOCART) aerosol module and includes assimilation of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor. Since AI is dependent on aerosol concentration, optical properties and altitude of the aerosol layer, we make use of complementary observations to fully diagnose the model, including AOD from the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR), aerosol retrievals from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) and attenuated backscatter coefficients from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) mission to ascertain potential misplacement of plume height by the model. By sampling dust, biomass burning and pollution events in 2007 we have compared model produced AI and AAOD with the corresponding OMI products, identifying regions where the model representation of absorbing aerosols was deficient. As a result of this study over the Saharan dust region, we have obtained a new set of dust aerosol optical properties that retains consistency with the MODIS AOD data that were assimilated, while resulting in better agreement with aerosol absorption measurements from OMI. The analysis conducted over the South African and South American biomass burning regions indicates that revising the spectrally-dependent aerosol absorption properties in the near-UV region improves the modeled-observed AI comparisons. Finally, during a period where the Asian region was mainly dominated by anthropogenic aerosols, we have performed a qualitative analysis in which the specification of anthropogenic emissions in GEOS-5 is adjusted to provide insight into discrepancies observed in AI comparisons.

scholarly journals Atmospheric radiative effects of an in-situ measured Saharan dust plume and the role of large particles

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 7767-7817 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Otto ◽  
M. de Reus ◽  
T. Trautmann ◽  
A. Thomas ◽  
M. Wendisch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Refractive Index ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Single Scattering Albedo ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Modal Parameters ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Radiative Effects ◽  
Enhanced Absorption ◽  
Large Particles

Abstract. This work will present aerosol size distributions measured in a Saharan dust plume between 0.9 and 12 km altitude during the ACE-2 campaign 1997. The distributions contain a significant fraction of large particles of diameters from 4 to 30 μm. Radiative transfer calculations have been performed using these data as input. Shortwave, longwave as well as total atmospheric radiative effects (AREs) of the dust plume are investigated over ocean and desert within the scope of sensitivity studies considering varied input parameters like solar zenith angle, scaled total dust optical depth, tropospheric standard aerosol profiles and particle complex refractive index. The results indicate that the large particle fraction has a predominant impact on the optical properties of the dust. A single scattering albedo of ωo=0.75–0.96 at 550 nm was simulated in the entire dust column as well as 0.76 within the Saharan dust layer at ~4 km altitude indicating enhanced absorption. The measured dust leads to cooling over the ocean but warming over the desert due to differences in their spectral surface albedo and surface temperature. The large particles absorb strongly and they contribute at least 20% to the ARE in the dusty atmosphere. From the measured size distributions modal parameters of a bimodal lognormal column volume size distribution were deduced, resulting in a coarse median diameter of ~9 μm and a column single scattering albedo of 0.78 at 550 nm. A sensitivity study demonstrates that variabilities in the modal parameters can cause completely different AREs and emphasises the warming effect of the large mineral dust particles.

The Long Term Spatial-temporal Distribution of Aerosol Optical Depth and Its Associated Atmospheric Circulation Over Southeast Africa.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthews Nyasulu ◽  
Md. Mozammel Haque ◽  
Bathsheba Musonda ◽  
Cao Fang
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Atmospheric Circulation ◽  
Atmospheric Aerosols ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosols ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosol

Abstract Recent studies have revealed significant impacts of increased concentration of anthropogenic aerosols in the atmosphere to both climate and human health. Southeast Africa is one of the regions where studies related to atmospheric aerosols remain scant, causing high uncertainty in predicting and understanding the impacts of these aerosols to both climate and human health. The present study therefore has investigated the long term spatial-temporal distribution of atmospheric aerosols, trends, its relationship with cloud properties and the associated atmospheric circulation over the region. High concentration of aerosol has been detected during the dry months of September to November (SON) while low during March to May (MAM) and June-July (JJA) seasons in most areas. Highest 550 was recorded in areas with low elevation such as over Lake Malawi, Zambezi valley and along the western coast of the Indian Ocean. The average of the detected concentration is however low as compared to highly polluted regions of the globe. Statistical analyses revealed insignificant change of AOD550 in most areas between 2002 and 2020 time period. The study has also revealed seasonality of aerosol distribution highly influenced by changes in atmospheric circulation. Burning of biomass during dry months such bush fires and burning of crop residues remain the major source of anthropogenic aerosol concentration over Southeast Africa hence needs to be controlled.

scholarly journals Aerosol processing and CCN formation of an intense Saharan dust plume during the EUCAARI 2008 campaign

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 3497-3516 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Bègue ◽  
P. Tulet ◽  
J. Pelon ◽  
B. Aouizerats ◽  
A. Berger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Mineral Dust ◽  
Lower Layer ◽  
Heterogeneous Reactions ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Northern Europe ◽  
Average Particle ◽  
Anthropogenic Aerosol

Abstract. Atmospheric processing and CCN formation of Saharan dust is illustrated through the analysis of a case of dust transport over northern Europe. This spread of dust is investigated by combining satellite, airborne and ground-based observations and the non-hydrostatic meso-scale model Meso-NH. The altitude of the dust plume during its transport to northwestern Europe was assessed using the CALIPSO observations and our model results. The major dust plume was transported toward Mediterranean and European regions between 2 and 5 km above sea level (a.s.l.). This is confirmed by an average particle depolarization ratio equal to 30%. Due to transport, this layer split into two layers over northern Europe, and we analyzed in this paper possible mixing of the European pollution aerosol with dust particles in the lower layer. The simulations have shown that the lower dust layer has interacted with the anthropogenic aerosol mainly over Belgium and the Netherlands. The analyses of numerical simulation results show that mineral dust particles accumulated soluble material through internal mixing over the Netherlands. The value of the CCN0.2 / CN ratio obtained over the Netherlands (~ 70%) is much greater than those observed over the Saharan region. In addition over the Netherlands, the CCN measurement reached 14 000 particles cm−3 at 0.63% supersaturation level on 30 May. Our model results reveal that more than 70% of the CCN concentration observed on 30 May can be explained by the presence of Saharan aged dust. The study reveals that heterogeneous reactions with inorganic salts converted this Saharan mineral dust into compounds that were sufficiently soluble to impact hygroscopic growth and cloud droplet activation over the Netherlands.

scholarly journals Observations of Saharan dust microphysical and optical properties from the Eastern Atlantic during NAMMA airborne field campaign

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 13445-13493 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Chen ◽  
L. D. Ziemba ◽  
D. A. Chu ◽  
K. L. Thornhill ◽  
G. L. Schuster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Optical Properties ◽  
Dust Particle ◽  
North Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Small Range ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Particle Size Distributions ◽  
Field Campaign ◽  
Sahara Dust

Abstract. As part of the international project entitled "African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA)", NAMMA (NASA AMMA) aimed to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the African Easterly Waves (AEWs), the Sahara Air Layer (SAL), and tropical cyclogenesis. The NAMMA airborne field campaign was based out of the Cape Verde Islands during the peak of the hurricane season, i.e., August and September 2006. Multiple Sahara dust layers were sampled during 62 encounters in the eastern portion of the hurricane main development region, covering both the eastern North Atlantic Ocean and the western Saharan desert (i.e., 5–22° N and 10–35° W). The centers of these layers were located at altitudes between 1.5 and 3.3 km and the layer thickness ranged from 0.5 to 3 km. Detailed dust microphysical and optical properties were characterized using a suite of in situ instruments aboard the NASA DC-8 that included a particle counter, an Ultra-High Sensitivity Aerosol Spectrometer, an Aerodynamic Particle Sizer, nephelometer, and Particle Soot Absorption Photometer. The NAMMA dust observations showed relatively low particle number densities, ranging from 268 to 461 cm−3, but highly elevated volume density with an average at 45 μm3 cm−3. NAMMA dust particle size distributions were well represented by tri-modal lognormal regressions. The estimated volume median diameter (VMD) is averaged at 2.1 μm with a small range of variation regardless of the vertical and geographical sampling locations. The absorption coefficient measurements exhibited a strong wavelength dependence for absorption but a weak one for scattering. The single scattering albedo was estimated at 0.97±0.02. Closure analyses showed that observed scattering and absorption coefficients are highly correlated with those calculated from spherical Mie-Theory and observed dust particle size distributions. The imaginary part of the refractive index for Sahara dust was estimated at 0.0022, with a range from 0.0015 to 0.0044. These values are generally consistent with literature values.

scholarly journals In situ measurements of aerosols optical properties and number size distributions in a subarctic coastal region of Norway

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 32921-32964
Author(s):  
S. Mogo ◽  
V. E. Cachorro ◽  
J. F. Lopez ◽  
E. Montilla ◽  
B. Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Properties ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Optical Parameters ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Air Mass ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Particle Sizer

Abstract. In situ measurements of aerosol optical properties were made in the summer of 2008 at the ALOMAR station facility (69°16 N, 16°00 E), located at a rural site in the north of the island of Andøya (Vesterålen archipelago), approximately 300 km north of the Arctic Circle. The extended three-month campaign was part of the POLARCAT Project (Polar Study using Aircraft, Remote Sensing, Surface Measurements and Models, of Climate, Chemistry, Aerosols, and Transport) of the International Polar Year (IPY-2007-2008). Its goal was to characterize the aerosols of this sub-Arctic area, which are frequently transported to the Arctic region. The ambient light-scattering coefficient, σs (550 nm), at ALOMAR had a measured hourly mean value of 5.41 Mm−1 (StD = 3.55 Mm−1), and the light-absorption coefficient, σa (550 nm), had a measured hourly mean value of 0.40 Mm−1 (StD = 0.27 Mm−1). The scattering/absorption Ångström exponents, αs,a, are used for a detailed analysis of the variations of the spectral shape of σs,a. Whereas αs demonstrates the presence of two particle sizes corresponding to two types of aerosols, the αa demonstrates only one type of absorbing aerosol particles. Values of αa above 1 were not observed. The single-scattering albedo, ω0, ranged from 0.62 to 0.99 (mean = 0.91, StD = 0.05), and the relationships of this property to the absorption/scattering coefficients and the Ångström exponents are presented. The concentration of the particles was monitored using a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) and an ultrafine condensation particle counter (UCPC). The shape of the median size distribution of the particles in the submicrometer fraction was bimodal, and the submicrometer, micrometer and total concentrations presented hourly mean values of 1277 cm3 (StD = 1563 cm3), 1 cm3 (StD = 1 cm3) and 2463 cm3 (StD = 4251 cm3), respectively. The modal correlations were investigated, and the concentration of particles sized between 30 and 100 nm (Aitken mode) are presented as a function of the concentration of the particles sized between 100 and 390 nm (accumulation mode). The optical and the microphysical parameters are related to each other, and the results are presented. The origins and pathways of air masses were examined by computing the back-trajectories in a trajectory model (HYSPLIT). Six geographical sectors were defined to classify the air masses, and, based on the sector classification, the linkage between the air mass origin and the optical parameters was established. Aerosol size distributions were also evaluated in relation to the air masses. The relationships between the air mass origins and other parameters, especially those related to the single scattering albedo, allow us to describe two characteristic situations: northern and western air masses, which had predominantly marine aerosols, presented lower optical parameter values, indicating predominantly coarser and non-absorbent particles; and eastern and southern air masses, in which continental aerosols were predominant, presented higher values for all optical parameters, indicating the presence of smaller absorbent particles.

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